Tuesday midday April 11

Preparation

Opening response

Favor us, Lord, and deliver us.Lord, come quickly and help us.

I trust you, Lord!I affirm, “You are my God.”

Psalm 31:14

Praise

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.Holy God,holy and strong,holy and immortal,have mercy upon us.We glory in your cross, O Lord,and praise and glorify your holy resurrection:for by virtue of the crossjoy has come to the whole world.

from the Liturgy of Good Friday

The Word of God

Psalm 142

Refrain:Get me out of this prison so I can give thanks to your name.

I cry out loud for help from the Lord. I beg out loud for mercy from the Lord.I pour out my concerns before God; I announce my distress to him.When my spirit is weak inside me, you still know my way. But they’ve hidden a trap for me in the path I’m taking.Look right beside me: See? No one pays attention to me.There’s no escape for me. No one cares about my life.

I cry to you, Lord, for help. “You are my refuge,” I say. “You are all I have in the land of the living.”Pay close attention to my shouting, because I’ve been brought down so low!Deliver me from my oppressors because they’re stronger than me.Get me out of this prison so I can give thanks to your name.Then the righteous will gather all around me because of your good deeds to me.

Glory to the Father and to the Sonand to the Holy Spirit;as it was in the beginning is nowand will be forever. Amen.

Refrain:Get me out of this prison so I can give thanks to your name.

Psalm prayer

God of compassion,you regard the forsakenand give hope to the crushed in spirit;hear those who cry to you in distressand bring your ransomed people to sing your glorious praise,now and forever.

Scripture readingIsaiah 53:4-6

It was certainly our sickness that he carried, and our sufferings that he bore, but we thought him afflicted, struck down by God and tormented.He was pierced because of our rebellions and crushed because of our crimes. He bore the punishment that made us whole; by his wounds we are healed.Like sheep we had all wandered away, each going its own way, but the Lord let fall on him all our crimes.

Silence may be kept.

Response

Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Matthew 5:10

Prayers

Intercession and thanksgiving

Prayers may include these concerns:

The persecuted churchThe oppressed peoples of the worldAll who are lonelyAll who are near to deathAll who are facing loss

Other intercessions and supplications may be offered as the Holy Spirit leads.

Prayer

Soul of Christ, sanctify me,body of Christ, save me,blood of Christ, inebriate me,water from the side of Christ, wash me.Passion of Christ, strengthen me.O good Jesus, hear me:hide me within your woundsand never let me be separated from you.From the wicked enemy defend me,in the hour of my death, call meand bid me come to you,so that with your saints I may praise youforever and ever.Amen.

Anima Christi (14th century)

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Savior taught us, so we pray

Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,and the glory are yoursnow and forever.Amen.